Medical marijuana: Gov. Richardson's wrangling revives measure

[bigtree]

By Steve Terrell | The New Mexican
March 11, 2007

Senate passes resurrected bill, which now heads to the House

The state Senate on Saturday resurrected the medical marijuana issue, passing a new bill allowing people suffering certain serious medical conditions to smoke cannabis to treat their symptoms.

The action came two days after the House voted 37-32 to defeat the original bill (Senate Bill 238).

But on Saturday, the Senate voted 32-3 to pass Senate Bill 523, which now goes to the House.

Gov. Bill Richardson told The Associated Press on Friday that he had talked to several Democrats who had voted against that bill in an effort to get them to change their minds. He also said he planned to talk with House Speaker Ben Luján, D-Nambé. Luján is a Richardson ally but an opponent of medical marijuana.

SB 523, sponsored by Sen. Shannon Robinson, D-Albuquerque, originally pertained only to topical uses of cannabis, such as ointments and patches. But Robinson agreed to submit a substitute bill that incorporated the provisions of the bill that was defeated in the House.

For the past seven years, drug-law reform advocates have been trying to get the Legislature to adopt a medical marijuana program. The Senate has passed such bills several times, only to see the legislation die in the House.

report: http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/58378.html


SB523 Medical Marijuana Act Text
http://legis.state.nm.us/Sessions/07%20Regular/bills/senate/SB0523.html

[saltpoint]

1. More and more Americans see no reason in hell to deny palliative ease

to someone in pain.

Especially when many physicians recommend it.

Kudos to Gov. Richardson.

[Cobalt Violet]

4. It can also lead to higher cure rates with some diseases.

There is no excuse for criminalizing patients who would be cured by using it.

[saltpoint]

5. Absolutely right. Richardson's way up front on this one.

[Cooley Hurd]

2. It would be interesting to see how much $$$ Big Pharma and Big Alcohol lobbies...

...are putting behind the anti-medical marijuana efforts.:think:

[LuckyLib]

11. No question. The anti-marijuana forces are gearing up. I want to know

why we don't hear similar diatribes about alcohol, a far more insidious and damaging drug. The lives ruined in this country directly and indirectly by alcohol form that quiet statistic that no one wants to discuss. Alcohol is fear more deadly than the "illegal drugs" our kids cautioned against. Alcohol advertising has increased at an amazing rate in the last decade. I like to see my state legislators get exercised over that!

http://abcnews.go.com/search?searchtext=alcohol%20teens&type=feature

[Cobalt Violet]

3. I just want to say a big FUCK OFF to the Ben Lujáns of the world.

Ben Luján, get your head out of your ass.

[PresidentObama]

6. My thoughts exactly.

It's not like they're endorsing drugs. They're endorsing something that eases pain, and helps others. Hell, even if it was legal....what's the big deal? Cigarettes are worse on the lungs, and alcohol has a greater altering effect. Give me a break, people!!

[skipos]

7. Wow. Richarson is ahead of the curve on this one

If my memory is correct, very few Presidential candidates have supported medical marijuana. Are there any other candidates with Richardson on this?

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

8. My thoughts exactly. He's one of the first, if only, that I can remember.

Medical marijuana legalization has more and more become a conventional wisdom.

Good for him, K & R!!!

:kick: MKJ

[ms liberty]

9. Kucinich is way ahead of even Richardson...

and is chairman of the sub-committee in the House that deals with it, IIRC.

[bigtree]

10. Good effort by Rep. Kucinich, but enacting it in NM will be a step beyond

proposing, and even passing legislation. (if it succeeds in passing the NM legislature)